Phosphate dynamics in an urban sewer: a case study of Nancy, France

The nature of phosphate phases present in suspended matter, biofilm, and sediment of Greater Nancy sewer system was investigated over a period of two years. The phosphate speciation was determined by two approaches: a direct identification of phosphorus mineral phases was conducted by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), whereas a chemical extraction of samples provided an estimate of phosphorus pools defined by the fractionation scheme. Quantitative analysis of 1340 individual particles by TEM-EDXS allowed to draw a picture of phosphate species distributions along the sewer system and over time. Amorphous Ca-phosphates (brushite, whitlockite, octacalcium phosphate, Mg-brushite, hydroxyapatite and carbapatite) were ubiquitous although brushite dominated upstream, and octacalcium phosphate and apatite prevailed downstream and in sediments. Al-Ca-phosphate minerals such as foggite, bearthite, gatumbaite, and crandallite appeared downstream and in biofilms. Ca-phosphate phase assemblages in the different locations of the sewer system were dependent on phase transformations from brushite to hydroxyapatite that were shown to be kinetically driven. The restriction of Al-Ca-phosphates to downstream of the sewer system was most probably related to the lower pHs measured at these sites. The pH dependency was confirmed by stability calculations. Chemical extractions were not reliable. TEM examination of extraction residues revealed the presence of neoformed Al-Ca-phosphate species that invalidated the fractionation scheme. Nonetheless, it confirmed that phosphate phases may undergo significant geochemical changes over a short time scale.

A portrait of the "SCP/TAPS" proteins of eukaryotes--developing a framework for fundamental research and biotechnological outcomes

A wide range of proteins belonging to the SCP/TAPS "family" has been described for various eukaryotic organisms, including plants and animals (vertebrates and invertebrates, such as helminths). Although SCP/TAPS proteins have been proposed to play key roles in a number of fundamental biological processes, such as host-pathogen interactions and defence mechanisms, there is a paucity of information on their genetic relationships, structures and functions, and there is no standardised nomenclature for these proteins. A detailed analysis of the relationships of members of the SCP/TAPS family of proteins, based on key protein signatures, could provide a foundation for investigating these areas. In this article, we review the current state of knowledge of key SCP/TAPS proteins of eukaryotes, with an emphasis on those from parasitic helminths, and undertake a comprehensive, systematic phylogenetic analysis of currently available full-length protein sequence data (considering characteristic protein signatures or motifs) to infer relationships and provide a framework (based on statistical support) for the naming of these proteins. This framework is intended to guide genomic and molecular biological explorations of key SCP/TAPS molecules associated with infectious diseases of plants and animals. In particular, fundamental investigations of these molecules in parasites and the integration of structural and functional data could lead to new and innovative approaches for the control of parasitic diseases, with important biotechnological outcomes.

ACDP– a Java application for data processing and analysis of protein circular dichroism spectra

ACDPis a Java application for processing protein circular dichroism (CD) spectra either individually or within a series. Data processing includes spectrum subtraction (`baseline correction'), conversion of the raw CD into units of mean residue ellipticity, wavelength monitoring and graphical inspection. Three different algorithms for secondary structure deconvolution have been implemented, and spectra can be analysed without the need for data reformatting, using a neural network approach, variable selection or linear combination of prototype spectra. The application is written entirely in Java and is thus portable to a wide variety of platforms, requiring only the Java Runtime Environment.

Cell viability, osteoblast differentiation, and gene expression are altered in human osteoblasts from hypertrophic fracture non-unions

Recent studies have provided evidence that the number and proliferation capacity of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, as well as the number of osteoprogenitor cells are reduced in patients with fracture non-unions. For fracture non-unions that do not heal after appropriate surgical intervention, the question arises as to what extent systemic cellular dysfunctions should be considered as being pathogenetic factors. For this purpose, we have examined the hypothesis that the cell function of osteoblasts isolated from patients with fracture non-unions may differ from those of normal control individuals in an identical and controlled in vitro situation. We analyzed the osteoblast cell viability, formation of alkaline phosphatase-positive (CFU-ALP) and mineralization-positive (CFU-M) colony forming units, as well as global differences of gene expression in osteoblasts from patients with fracture non-unions and from control individuals. We found that cell viability and CFU-M-formation were significantly reduced in non-union osteoblasts. This was accompanied by significant differences in osteoblast gene expression as revealed by Affymetrix-microarray analysis and RT-PCR. We identified a set of significantly down-regulated factors in non-union osteoblasts that are involved in regulation of osteoblast proliferation and differentiation processes (canonical Wnt-, IGF-, TGF-beta-, and FGF-signaling pathways). The results of the present study strongly support the hypothesis that cell viability, differentiation, and gene expression of osteoblasts may be altered in patients who develop recurrent and recalcitrant fracture non-unions. Proteins involved in Wnt-, IGF, TGF-beta-, and FGF-signaling pathways may be of particular interest and may unveil new potential therapies.

4 IMPAIRED INCRETIN EFFECT IN TRANSGENIC PIGS EXPRESSING A DOMINANT NEGATIVE RECEPTOR FOR GLUCOSE-DEPENDENT INSULINOTROPIC POLYPEPTIDE IN THE PANCREATIC ISLETS

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) are secreted by specific cell types in the intestine and are responsible for the so-called incretin effect, the phenomenon that an oral glucose load elicits a higher insulin response than does an intravenous glucose load. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus the overall incretin effect is reduced. This fact is mostly attributed to a lowered insulinotropic effect of GIP, while the effect of GLP-1 is preserved. In order to better understand the consequences of impaired function of GIP, knockout mice lacking a functional GIP receptor (GIPR–/–) as well as transgenic mice expressing a dominant negative GIPR (GIPRdn) were established. While GIPR–/– mice show only relatively mild changes in glucose homeostasis, GIPRdn mice display a distinct diabetic phenotype due to disturbed development of the endocrine pancreas (Herbach et al. 2005 Regul. Pept. 125, 103–117). To further clarify the underlying mechanisms, we used a novel, highly efficient gene transfer technology based on lentiviral vectors (Hofmann et al. 2003 EMBO Rep. 4, 1054–1060; Hofmann et al. 2006 Mol. Ther. 13, 59–66) to generate transgenic pigs expressing a GIPRdn under the control of the rat Ins2 promoter (RIP). RIP-GIPRdn transgenic pigs develop normally and do not display diabetes mellitus up to at least one year of age. Weekly measured fasting blood glucose levels in transgenic animals did not show a significant difference compared to control pigs. The same was true for monthly determined fructosamine levels. However, RIP-GIPRdn transgenic pigs exhibited reduced insulin release and higher glucose levels than non-transgenic littermate controls in an oral glucose tolerance test. The area under the curve (AUC) for insulin was 49% smaller (P < 0.01) and the AUC for glucose 26% larger (P < 0.05) in RIP-GIPRdn transgenic pigs (n = 5) than in their non-transgenic littermate controls (n = 5). These findings demonstrate that expression of a GIPRdn, which was shown by RT-PCR in isolated pancreatic islets, disturbs the function of GIP in transgenic pigs. Thus we have created a novel, clinically relevant animal model for studying the roles of the GIP/GIPR system. Quantitative morphological studies of the pancreas are being performed to clarify whether GIPR function is essential for pancreatic islet development and maintenance.

[The cloverleaf plate for osteosythesis of humeral head fractures. Definition of the current position]

In this prospective study we evaluated the functional and radiological results obtained in 62 patients who had been treated for fracture of the humeral head by internal fixation with a cloverleaf plate. They were examined postoperatively, after 14 weeks and after an average follow-up of 75 weeks. Nine patients (14.5%) had dislocated 2-part fractures, 36 had 3-part fractures (58%; additional dislocations of the greater or lesser tubercle), 13 patients (21%) had 4-part fractures and 4 (5.6%) had luxation fractures of the humeral head. Early functional physiotherapy was started on the third day after surgery. The complications observed were: subcutaneous infection (2 cases; 3.2%), haematoma (2 cases; 3.2%), temporal paraesthesia of the axillary nerve (1 case; 1.6%). Only 4 (6.5%) patients suffered from necrosis of the humeral head (partial in 3, total in 1); in 2 cases (3.2%) we switched to a different procedure; in both these patients a humeral head prosthesis was implanted; in both these cases the clinical result was poor because of progressive varus dislocation. To improve mobility we performed arthrolysis in 8 cases (12.9%) and acromioplasty in 10 (16.1%), in addition to removing the plates after fracture consolidation confirmed by X-ray examination. In the present study those of our patients who had been treated with open reduction and internal fixation with a cloverleaf plate achieved average Neer scores of 77+/-13 and average Constant scores of 72.4+/-18, and the rates of complications or revisions were low. "Good" or "very good" results were obtained according to the Constant score in 59% of the treated patients. Even patients with complex 4-part fractures had average Constant scores of 72.7 points ("good"). The accuracy of the refixation of the greater tubercle, sufficiently low fixation of the cloverleaf plate and avoidance of varus position when the humeral head was repositioned were significant parameters influencing the functional outcome in our patients.

[Epidemiology of chlamydial infections]

Genital chlamydia infections are the most frequently diagnosed bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide. Infections with chlamydia trachomatis are not notifiable in Germany. Since 2002, a STI sentinel surveillance including 243 sentinel sites has been set up in Germany. Between January 2003 and June 2006, 6.7% of 46,168 chlamydia tests were positive. Of the 1547 positive patients, 64.3% were women and the median age was 26 years. In this group, 60.4% of women and 29.3% of men were of non-German origin. Heterosexual contacts were stated as the possible source of infection for 42.9% of men and 26.4% of women. A total of 16.1% men and 38.6% women reportedly "always" used condoms with others than their permanent partner. The awareness of chlamydia infections needs to be improved among physicians, patients and the general population.

Exposure to ethylene oxide in hospitals: biological monitoring and influence of glutathione S-transferase and epoxide hydrolase polymorphisms

Ethylene oxide is considered as a human carcinogen. A biomarker of exposure would be a useful instrument to assess the risk in occupationally exposed workers. This cross-sectional study aimed at examining (a) whether the urinary excretion of a metabolite of ethylene oxide, 2-hydroxyethyl mercapturic acid (HEMA), could be used for monitoring occupational exposure and (b) whether glutathione S-transferase (GST) and epoxide hydrolase genotypes influenced biological monitoring. Exposure to ethylene oxide was measured by personal sampling in 80 hospital workers (95% of those eligible). HEMA concentrations were determined in three urine samples (baseline, end of shift, and next morning) by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. GSTs (GSTT1, GSTM1, and GSTP1) and epoxide hydrolase (EPHX1) were also genotyped. The influence of exposure, genotypes, and several other factors was examined in multiple regression analyses. Exposure was always <1 parts per million. On a group basis, exposure and a non-null GSTT1 genotype increased the HEMA concentrations in the urine sample collected at the end of the shift and these factors remained statistically significant after considering possible confounding or modifying factors.

Activation and isomerization of n-butane on sulfated zirconia model systems—an integrated study across the materials and pressure gaps

Butane activation has been studied using three types of sulfated zirconia materials, single crystalline epitaxial films, nanocrystalline films, and powders. A surface phase diagram of zirconia in interaction with SO(3) and water was established by DFT calculations, which was verified by LEED investigations on single-crystalline films and by IR spectroscopy on powders. At high sulfate surface densities a pyrosulfate species is the prevailing structure in the dehydrated state; if such species are absent, the materials are inactive. Theory and experiment show that the pyrosulfate can react with butane to give butene, H(2)O and SO(2), hence butane can be activated via oxidative dehydrogenation. This reaction occurred on all investigated materials; however, isomerization could only be proven for powders. Transient and equilibrium adsorption measurements in a wide pressure and temperature range (isobars measured via UPS on nanocrystalline films, microcalorimetry and temporal analysis of products measurements on powders) show weak and reversible interaction of butane with a majority of sites but reactive interaction with <5 micromol g(-1) sites. Consistently, the catalysts could be poisoned by adding sodium to the surface in a ratio S/Na = 35. Future research will have to clarify what distinguishes these few sites.

Inhibition of porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) in primary porcine cells by RNA interference using lentiviral vectors

A potential risk in pig-to-human xenotransplantation is the transmission of PERVs to human recipients. Here we show for the first time the inhibition of PERV expression in primary porcine cells by RNA interference using lentiviral vectors. Cells were transduced with lentiviral vectors coding for short hairpin (sh) RNAs directed against PERV. In all primary porcine cells studied and in the porcine kidney cell line PK-15, expression of PERV-mRNA was significantly reduced as measured by real-time PCR. Most importantly, expression of PERV proteins was almost completely suppressed, as shown by Western blot analysis. Thus, lentiviral shRNA vectors could be used to knockdown PERV expression and create transgenic pigs with a reduced risk of PERV transmission during xenotransplantation.

The benefit of multislice CT in the emergency room management of polytraumatized patients

The early treatment of polytraumatized patients needs an effective and standardized approach. Reducing time requirements for the primary diagnostic evaluation is a major concern in the early phase of polytrauma management. Multislice-CT (MSCT) is a quick and reliable method for the initial diagnostic evaluation. Computed tomography provides more detailed and more consistent information than conventional radiography. It has the great advantage of allowing rapid examination of the head, vertebral column, chest, abdomen and pelvis during one single examination. The CT-suite needs to be adequately equipped for resuscitation and reanimation, which is done parallel to the radiological investigations. Since polytrauma management is based on a multidisciplinary approach characterized by a coordinated interaction between trauma surgeons, anaesthesiologists and radiologists, members of all involved disciplines need adequate teaching. Guidelines and algorithms contribute to optimize the early management.

Molecular and immunological characterization of encoding gene and 14-3-3 protein 1 in Fasciola gigantica

A cDNA encoding Fg14-3-3 protein 1 was cloned by immunoscreening of an adult-stage Fasciola gigantica cDNA library using a rabbit antiserum against tegumental antigens of the parasite. The protein has a deduced amino acid sequence of 252 residues and a calculated molecular weight of 28.7 kDa. It shows sequence identity values between 57.6 and 58.1% to the human 14-3-3 beta, zeta, theta, and eta proteins and is in a phylogenetic cluster with the 14-3-3 protein 1 of Schistosoma spp. Nucleic acid analyses indicate that the Fg14-3-3 protein 1 is encoded by a single copy gene and that this gene is expressed as a transcript of 1250 nucleotides. In adult and 4-week-old parasites the gene's transcriptional and translational products were localized in the gut epithelium, parenchyma, tegument cells, and in the reproductive organs. An antiserum against recombinant Fg14-3-3 protein 1 detected a slightly smaller 14-3-3 protein in the parasite's excretion/secretion material and showed cross-reactivity with 14-3-3 proteins in extracts of other trematodes and mouse. Antibodies against Fg14-3-3 protein were detected in the sera of rabbits as early as 2 weeks after infection with metacercariae of F. gigantica and the antibody titre increased continuously over a 10-week observation period.

[Ankyloglossia in an Anatolian Shepherd dog]

Ankyloglossia, commonknown as tongue-tie, is a rare congenital oral anomaly in dogs. A complete attachment of the lingual frenulum to the floor of the oral cavity leads to limited mobility of the tongue including problems during eating and swallowing. In humans ankyloglossia is a common anomaly in newborn infants. In our report a 5-month old Anatolian Shepherd dog was surgically treated and full function of the tongue could be achieved with a horizontal-to-vertical frenuloplasty.